After having an automobile accident in 2003, I have been unable to move hardly at all. Can someone help me?

Question

I had surgery on my neck where a clamp was inserted between two of the cervical bones to keep them in place. I also had low back surgery where I had pins and plates installed between two of my lumbar vertabrae. Prior to this, I was on an exercise program, and was steadily losing weight.

Now, I am almost totally immobile; I can walk for only about five minutes at a time. I can no longer even push a vacume cleaner or stand at the sink to wash a dish. As a result, I have ballooned to 345 pounds (I'm only 5'8") and have since suffered a mild stroke.

I have tried water therapy, and this hasn't helped. Can someone please tell me of a low impact exercise program that I can get into to lose this weight? I'm only 49 years old, and I don't want to die! PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

You say you have tried water therapy, but have you tried water exercise programs? There are three which specifically come to mind.

The first is a water program offered by the American Arthritis Foundation, and it is a very gentle program to help with joint mobility. The key thing is that it is very low impact, and it is done in a heated pool. The heat helps with pain, and also helps with joint flexibility.

The second is a program that is offered at many of the pools in my area, and is called water walking. All they do is walk in the water. The fact that you are overweight means that when you exercise there is a lot of stress put on your joints. Doing it in water, where your body's natural buoyancy relieves a great deal of stress, helps you be able to do more than you can do out of the water. In my area, they offer this class in both heated and regular temperature pools.

The third is low impact water aerobics. Water aerobics are by nature low-impact because of your body's tendency to float. The beginner classes are very gentle and include a warm up period, a cardio workout, and a cool down. The warm up and cool down periods also include gentle stretching exercises.

The reason I suggest these three to you is because I have very bad fibromyalgia, and I have, in the past, been unable to walk for more than about 5 minutes at a time without a long rest in between each period. Walking is my main exercise, and in the periods when I have been unable to walk because of pain, I have put on weight. All of my doctors (and believe me, I see a whole bunch of them) have suggested these programs to me. My rheumatologist specifically suggested that I do the arthritis program at first to gain strength and flexibility in my joints, and then move on the the water walking program when I feel I have outgrown the arthritis program. He said if I feel well enough, I can then progress to the water aerobics. So far, I have had a pretty good year and I have been able to walk regularly, so I have not needed to go to a pool. However, I am starting to have a lot of pain, so the other day I wrote down the number for the closest pool that does the arthritis program, and if I find that I cannot get out and walk for as long as I would like in the evenings (at least 30 minutes), I will definitely be giving them a call.

I know that these programs are helpful, as my mother's best friend could hardly move because of scoliosis and terrible back pain. She had her back fused years ago, and two years ago they found out that the curvature of her spine was so severe that it had bent the stainless steel rods, so they had to remove them and re-fuse her back. She literally could not go further than the bathroom attached to her bedroom before she started a warm water program. She is now doing much better, and swims 5 days a week. She also has a lot more stamina from exercising regularly, and several months ago she was able to start swimming some laps alone after the class.

Perhaps you could talk to your doctor, and see what he or she thinks of these programs I have mentioned. I know that in many places, you can participate for free if you have a doctor's prescription for them.
There are other low impact exercises such as yoga and pilates, but most of them require enough flexibility for you to be able to get to the floor and then back up again. It sounds like that would be impossible for you now. If warm water exercises can get you into a little bit better shape, and help with your flexibility and pain, perhaps you could incorporate one of them into your routine later on. I have a friend that practices yoga, and it has had tremendous benefits for her, both physically and mentally. I think you would benefit from it, but I just don't know if you can do it in your present condition.

I will be thinking of you, and hoping that you are okay. Please take care of yourself, and don't despair.

Answer 2

Yes

Answer 3

Maybe for that 5 minutes at a time that you CAN stand, do a walking motion, picking up your legs higher and higher.
Pump your arms up and down above your heart, to get your heart racing, breathing all the while.
Exercise WHENEVER you can!

Get the Health Dept. to give you suggestions.


GO, MIZLEEDO! sounds like GREAT advice to me.

Answer 4

hmmm, try adding food supplement..... do walking exercise.... probably someone might help you like a physical therapyst... did you just say you had a mild stroke? hmmm, better take your medication on time.... watch your diet.... and keep yourself busy but not that requiring all your energy......

Answer 5

I also have a broken neck with pins and metal.

I had the same problem as you did which was not helped at all because I am also Bi-Polar (high functioning) and was taking meds that helps tends to promote weight gain.

(1). I changed my meds to the minimum and I concentrate daily on what I am thinking (making sure I choose more positive thoughts)

(2). Pray/meditate every morning and evening...usually prayers of thankfullness and greatfullness.

(3). I went on a life-long diet from a book called,
" Fit for Life". I have lost 32 lbs in 6 weeks, not hungry and my palate has changed so sweets, pork and beef are foods I don't really care for.

(4). Now I am also doing a gentle, internal cleanse of my bowel system.

(5). I take a daily supplement of magnesium (Ionic Fizz) which helps the heart and nervous system.

(6). I get plenty of excercise with the farm work and housework. It is strenous enough to burn calories but not so much I hurt myself.

(7). I make sure I get at least...7 hrs sleep a night to...9 hours sleep.

(8). I have creative things I do for pleasure (painting, gardening, sewing, reading, writing)

(9). When I feel sorry for myself, I reach out and help someone else.

(10). When I start feeling fearful or anxious about being ill , getting ill or dying, I repeat a litergy from t he book DUNE which is an amazing help to REfocus positive thought. ( I have paraphrased it to make it easier to remember).
~~~I SHALL NOT FEAR
~~~FEAR IS the MIND KILLER
~~~I WILL FACE MY FEAR
~~~I WILL LET IT PASS THROUGH ME
~~~WHEN IT HAS PASSED
~~~ONLY I AND THE CREATOR REMAINS

(11). IF you have a good support circle(wife, friend, lover,....whatever), LOVE will inspire you and give you power you cannot imagine. I am blessed with an amazing, holy-man for a husband. I am not speaking religious here.....

(12). I also strongly suggest that you start getting a massage from a certified massuese 2 times a week and go to a good chiropractor ONCE a week (I do). Make sure the chiropractor also does acupuncture.... it works very well for pain and relaxation.

(13). Turn off the television. Only allow positive encouraging people in your life. Read inspiring stories. Go to a hospital and hold a baby that needs it. Go to a nursing home and read to the patrons there. All these things are powerful to heal not just you but others as well.

Please feel free to write me at my yahoo email if you need support.

I am fully functional, feeling healthier, sleep better AND I am happier with life than I have ever been.

May the Creator provide you with the clarity, will and courage to start healing yourself.